Chain switch-pull for electric lights.



APPLICATION FlLEli "MN. 22. 1915.

Patented July '27, 1915.

gnmwnkw awou/wn new E. EADE, OFIPROVIDENCE, nnonn ISLAND.

CHAIN SWITCH-PULL FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented July 2'7, 1915.

Application filed. January 22, 1915. Serial No. 3,722.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN E. EADE, a cit zenof the United States, residing at PI'QVldence, in the county ofProvidence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Chain Switch-Pulls for Electric Lights, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in chainswitch pulls for electric lights, and the primary object thereof is toprovide means whereby in cases where an insulator is required to beinserted within the chain, that such insertion may be expeditiously madewithout the use of any tools except such as may be necessary to effectcutting of the chain.

A further object of the invention is to provide an insulator of simpleand economical structure, which embodies a minimum of parts capable ofbeing easily assembled, and also easily and quickly connected to thechain at the severed portion of the latter.

Other and further objects of the invention will belater herein set forthand of themselves manifested in the course of the following description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a chain constructed inaccordance with the present invention and equipped with two insulatorsalso constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged longitudinal sectional view of one of the insulators. Fig. 3 isa section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a detail sideelevation of the locking collar.

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention, the chain iscomposed of a series of flexibly connected balls 1 terminating in anenlarged ball 2 that affords a substantial finger grip for the hand ofthe operator in pulling the chain downwardly to actuate the electriclamp switch.

The insulators are each formed of a cylindrical body 3 constructed ofany suitable or appropriate insulating material, and of a length whichmay be varied as desired. To each end of the central body 3 there issecured a metal sleeve 4, which sleeves may be rigidly connected to thecentral body 1, by prick punches 5, the sleeves tapering toward theirfree ends, the tapering portions projecting beyond the ends of thecentral body 1, so as to form sockets for a purpose hereinafter setforth.

For the purpose of effectively and positively locking the adjacent balls1 formed by severance of the chain, locking collars 6 are employed whichcollars have tapered outer end portions and are secured within theaforementioned sockets against longitudinal movement therein by causingthe base or inner ends'of the collars to abut the ends of the centralbody 3, outward movement of the collars being prevented by virtue of thestops or abutments which the tapered outer ends of the sleeves 3provide. The collars ti are split at 7 so as to enable same to give 1nan obvious manner.

In some instances regulations require the presence of one or moreinsulators in electric pull chains, and the present invention isespecially purposed to cover such cases, though incidentally, theinvention may be utilized for the purpose of lengthening the chain whendesired. If therefore for the reasons mentioned, it should be desired ornecessary to provide one or more insulators in the chain, then same issevered at the de sired point, following which the balls at the severedpoint are forced manually into the sockets aforementioned, and due tothe split character of the collar 6 the balls may be readily forced intothe sockets, where they will be efiectively retained by the presence ofthe locking collars whichlatter upon outward movement of the balls arecontracted so as to prevent disengagement of the balls from the sockets.Obviously the greater the pull on the balls, the greater the contractileaction of the locking collars, with the result that the balls areprevented from being disengaged, once engaged in the sockets. By

referring to Fig. 2 it will also be apparent,

that the balls provide universal joint connections between the ends ofthe insulator and the chain portions.

Having thus described my invention. I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent K 1. In an insulator of the type set forth, incombination with a chain composed of flexibly connected balls, a centralcylindrical insulating body, sleeves having tapered outer portionsdisposed over the ends of the body to form sockets beyond said bodyends, means to secure the sleeves to the ends of the body, and splittaperedlocking collars disposed within the sockets and having theirinner ends abutting the ends of the body and adapted to receive andengage the balls of the chain.

2. In combination with a chain composed of connected balls, an insulatorhaving a body, sleeves secured to the ends of the body and projectingtherebeyond to form sockets, and split locking collars in the sleevesadapted to receive the balls therein.

3. In an insulator, a central body, sleeves on the ends of the bodyprojecting therebeyond, and locking means in the sleeves, the outer endsof the sleeves and locking means being tapered.

4. An insulator for chains, comprising a body having socketed ends, andmeans in the sockets to engage the chain ends to frictionally lock thelatter against movement rela- 15 tive'to the chain.

5. An insulator for chains, composed of a body having socketed ends, andresilient locking rings in the sockets to engage the chain ends to lockthe latter to the insulator. 20

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN E. EADE.

Witnesses:

ADA E. HAGERTY, J. A. MILLER.

